Asia & The Pacific Archives - Page 32 of 40

7 Secret Off-Menu Dishes to Order Now

Posted on October 24, 2016April 8, 2026 by Katie Chang

From a flavourful soup in Bahrain to an expertly aged rum cocktail in Koh Samui, chefs at Four Seasons hotels and resorts around the world are known for creating secret menu items with their own personal flair. For a truly exclusive dining experience, guests in the know should order one of these by-request-only dishes or drinks during their next evening out.

Elevated comfort food in St. Louis

Warm and comforting Dia’s Cheese Bread is inspired by Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis Chef Gerard Craft’s beloved childhood nanny.

Much of the inspiration for the menu at Cinder House at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis comes from Chef Gerard Craft’s love of South American cuisine – his beloved childhood nanny, Dia, introduced him to its flavours. Today, many of the wood-fired dishes at the restaurant are an ode to Dia. “As an adult, I now recognize how much care she put into everything that she made,” Craft says. “Dia had the ability to evoke a sense of comfort from simple, fresh ingredients, and that’s something I hope always translates on the Cinder House menu.”

One of Dia’s most comforting dishes is only available by request: Dia’s Cheese Bread, or Pao De Queijo, was on Cinder House’s opening menu but now is a secret favourite among Cinder House regulars. The warm, pillowy pieces of fresh bread are best served with prosciutto and lardo or as the perfect accompaniment to a warm meal after a long day.

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

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Seafood Ramen in Bahrain

For a twist on the traditional Asian dish, this Seafood Ramen combines local Bahraini prawns, black sea bass and clams alongside more traditional garnishes like a shoyu egg, fresh scallions and sesame.

It took 18 months for up-and-coming Bahraini Chef Lulwa Sowaileh at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay to perfect her ramen noodles, experimenting with different textures and techniques until she was satisfied with the result. A change from the traditional dim sum and authentic robata-style grilled items she normally creates at re Asian Cuisine, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, the dish is served with dashi broth – made by slow-cooking fish bones, shitake mushrooms, bonito flakes and kombu and seasoned with tamari and sea salt – fresh prawns, black sea bass and clams, and garnished with a shoyu egg, crispy shallots, lime, cilantro, fresh scallions and sesame.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

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Vegan choices in Scottsdale

Chef Mel Mecinas’ vegan dishes, such as this asparagus risotto, add playful and healthy alternatives to the menu at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.

Chef Mel Mecinas’ off-menu, six-course vegan tasting at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North was originally prepared to accommodate a vegan guest, but it has become so popular that it’s no longer just vegans asking for it. Driven by which fruits, vegetables and grains are in season, Mecinas is constantly creating new dishes that are healthful, deeply satisfying and playful, too.

His pappardelle, for example, is topped with a silky sauce made of tofu instead of cream or cheese, while his tartare swaps out beef with toothsome, hearty tomatoes, which give a similar meaty effect. If you’d like to try one of his creations, like asparagus risotto, or are wondering what new vegan dish he’s concocted, all you have to do is ask.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

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Traditional delights in Egypt

Chef Emad Ebeid of Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza enjoys preparing labour-intensive folk dishes for guests, such as koshari.

Zitouni at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza specializes in Egyptian cuisine, but there are two traditional dishes that aren’t on the menu because they’re so labour-intensive. For guests who prefer more rural recipes, however, Chef Emad Ebeid doesn’t mind crafting his koshari, a hearty blend of lentils, rice and macaroni topped with a spicy tomato sauce and fried onions, or his rich oxtail stew.

“These are very ethnic folk dishes, mostly served in areas that are difficult to commute to by our guests, and also require special culinary preparations,” Ebeid says. “The challenge is producing a folk dish without compromising Four Seasons culinary perfection.”

Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza

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Exclusive caviar in Beverly Hills

The mother-of-pearl dish bearing delicious and decadent Kaluga and Osetra caviar is made exclusively for Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel.

Photography courtesy of Stocksy

To cater to the sophisticated palates of locals and visiting guests alike, Chef Samir Roonwal of Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel makes sure certain ingredients are always on hand, available to those who know to ask. Kaluga and Osetra caviar, for example, arrives in a dazzling mother-of-pearl set made exclusively for the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel. In addition, there are fresh truffles (white or black, depending on the season), which diners can request be added as an indulgent finish to anything from pasta to popcorn.

Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel

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Aged rum in Koh Samui

The Aged Zombie at CocoRum includes a potent mix of three rums that have been aged for 60 days.

Tiki drinks are already enjoying a comeback, but at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui the trend is being pushed even further with barrel aging, which lends cocktails unusual depth and complexity. Available only by request, the Aged Zombie at CoCoRum bar is a potent mix of three rums that have been aged for 60 days in an American oak barrel.

“It sounds a bit complicated,” says head bartender Samart Khethong, “but the result is this wonderfully smooth cocktail.” If you’re a vodka fan and want to continue imbibing under the radar, order an avocado martini and watch what happens.

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

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Upside-down pancakes in Lanai

Made with brown sugar and fresh local pineapple, the upside-down pineapple pancake is a favourite of regular guests at Four Seasons Resort Lanai.

Though it was a breakfast staple at ONE FORTY years ago, the upside-down pineapple pancake has since been removed from the menu at Four Seasons Resort Lanai. But guests with a taste for its sweet flavour and fresh pineapple can ask for a special order. To make each cake, a ring of the local fruit is mixed with pancake batter, brown sugar and clarified butter, then baked for 10 minutes before the whole thing is inverted onto a plate. The result is fluffy, not too sweet and distinctively Hawaiian.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

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Hideaway in Abu Dhabi

With a design that’s inspired by Al Capone’s prison cell and his infamous 1928 Cadillac, the Hideaway private dinning room at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island is only accessible by an unmarked passageway.

An off-menu item is one thing, but Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island is taking dining secrecy to a whole new level with a hidden speakeasy that you have to find before you can even get the menu.

The newly launched Hideaway, a secret extension of Butcher & Still, can be reached only by knowing an insider at the property and locating the unmarked passageway. When you do secure access, you and 17 of your closest friends will be rewarded with your own private venue, with plenty of decadent eats, spirited cocktails and cigars on hand. The room’s retro design is inspired by Al Capone’s prison cell and his infamous 1928 bulletproof Cadillac.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island

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Night Swimming: 9 Pools You Should Only Swim at Sundown

Posted on October 5, 2016November 14, 2023 by Lenise Willis

Though swimming under the sun is a cool respite during the day, some pools look their best after dark. From an infinity pool overlooking the grassy plains of the Serengeti to a sky-high jewel in Dubai, these eight pools at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are open through sunset or later, and illuminate new ways to enjoy night swimming.

Maui: A pool for two

A photo posted by Sedge Beswick (@sedgebeswick) on Aug 20, 2015 at 10:11pm PDT

Dotted with candles and elevated above Wailea Beach, the Serenity Pool at Four Seasons Resort Maui is the perfect setting for night swimming beneath the stars. The poolside is available for private use from dusk to dawn for a chef-prepared multi-course dinner, a private dip with your choice of underwater music, and a couple’s massage in a luxury cabana. Coupled with astonishing panoramic views of neighbouring islands and the West Maui Mountains, this is island life at its very best.

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

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Dubai: Aquatic glow

A photo posted by # CENTRAL (@hashtagcentraldubai) on Mar 15, 2016 at 12:49am PDT

Shimmering like a blue jewel at night, the above-ground, glass-walled pool at Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre looks like an immense aquarium. Open for swimming until 10:00 pm, the rooftop pool provides an exciting underwater view of the surrounding sites. After a refreshing swim, slip into the nearby heated whirlpool.

Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre

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St. Louis: Rooftop gazing

The rooftop pool at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis offers rare panoramic views of the city skyline.

Glowing with soft blue and pink lights, the outdoor pool at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, open for swimming until 8:00 pm, is one of the few rooftop pools in St. Louis. From this poolside perch, enjoy exclusive views of the illuminated downtown skyline – including the Gateway Arch, Martin Luther King Bridge and the Mississippi River – while sipping cocktails from Cielo Bar. Once the sun sets, the pool’s underwater music changes to an upbeat, lounge-style soundtrack to match the city nightlife scene below.

Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis

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Maldives: Twin sunsets

The freshwater swimming pool at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is a romantic setting for an evening swim amidst the hues of the sunset.

For an awe-inspiring view of not one but two sunsets, the infinity edge pool at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa is the perfect place. Seeming to merge with the horizon, the outdoor pool, open until 7:00 pm, reflects the sun’s warm orange and pink hues, creating a second sunset that matches the sky. It’s a most unusual effect for an evening swim.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

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A couple enjoys the infinity pool at Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah.

Celebrate with friends and loved ones by enjoying a private moonlit pool party at Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll.

Just a few miles away, step into your own private oasis: the sunset pool at Maldives Private Island at Voavah, Baa Atoll. Accessible only to you and your guests, the pool lies just outside the Two-Bedroom Water Villa and appears on The Telegraph‘s list of incredible infinity pools around the world. Make it your vantage point as it blends seamlessly with the night and a blanket of stars.

Maldives Private Island Voavah at Baa Atoll

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Hampshire: Swim under the stars

A photo posted by Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire (@fshampshire) on Sep 14, 2016 at 12:03pm PDT

Open late for adults only, the heated outdoor vitality pool at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire offers massage features and is surrounded by the quiet countryside – making it a sweet retreat after a day of exploring on horseback, playing tennis or shopping the charming streets of the village. After a soak, swim into the connected indoor infinity pool and gaze at the stars shining through its glass ceiling.

Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

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Serengeti: Nocturnal watering hole

Enjoy an awe-inspiring safari sunset while soaking in the free-form pool at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti.

Open through sunset, the free-form infinity pool at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is an idyllic setting for watching the sun descend and the Serengeti transform. By day, the pool overlooks the elephants and water buffalo that frequently stop for a drink at the neighbouring watering hole. But as the day comes to a close, guests will enjoy picturesque views of a Safari sunset and the chance to overhear the nocturnal wildlife, like a lioness or hyena.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

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Abu Dhabi: Seaside poolside

A photo posted by Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi (@fsabudhabi) on Dec 23, 2016 at 10:56pm PST

Open until midnight, the outdoor pool at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi is the perfect setting for a refreshing nighttime dip out in the open air. After sundown, unwind with dinner, drinks and DJ music on the third-floor rooftop pool deck. Nearby Eclipse, Terrace Lounge, an open-air restaurant and bar, is ideal for a post-swimming cocktail or poolside indulgence in seafood.

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The Sweet Side of Jakarta

Posted on September 2, 2016September 12, 2017 by Petty Elliott

Nutmeg, clove, mace: These are the reasons that parts of the Indonesian archipelago were once known as the Spice Islands. Today, the aromatic riches continue to flavour local cuisine, including desserts, which are much more than mere postprandial afterthoughts in the land of spice.

Indonesians, especially in the capital city of Jakarta, have a passion for pastries and believe that dessert is not only part of a meal, but a dish for celebration.

“Local spice and tropical fruits are a powerful source of ideas,” says Lorenzo Sollecito, the executive pastry chef at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta and the man responsible for spinning the region’s abundant ingredients into the desserts that fill the glass cases at the Hotel’s new La Patisserie.

With specialty desserts like batik chocolate pralines, mignon patisserie and an Eternity Cake, La Patisserie at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta offers an artistic boutique setting and a variety of decadent chocolates and pastries.

“Indonesia is an amazing country,” Sollecito continues, “not only in terms of local products – chocolate, vanilla, spices and coffee – but the people and Indonesian hospitality are simply amazing.”

On the menu

The most unique item on the menu at La Patisserie is the Upside Down Mango Cheesecake, in which Chef Sollecito rolls shavings of chocolate into “stems” and places berries to resemble small flowers.

This savoury chocolate dessert at La Patisserie will satisfy anyone’s palate with its rich but delicate flavour.

Photography Courtesy of Petty Elliot

A delectable selection of macaroons is a sampling of the many tempting choices at La Patisserie, the newest restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.

Photography Courtesy of Petty Elliot

One of the most unique items on the dessert menu at La Patisserie is the Upside Down Mango Cheesecake, which takes more than 24 hours and the hands of the entire pastry team to prepare.

Sollecito begins by mixing the ingredients, including fresh mango and local vanilla, and letting them rest to develop their texture and flavour. The cheesecake batter is then poured into individual serving glasses and baked. On top of each sits an intricate “floral” arrangement of berries, chocolate and vanilla crumbles, with chocolate “stems” and pistachio “coral.”

The Upside Down Mango Cheesecake looks like a small aquarium. – Christian Poda, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta

“It looks precisely like a small garden inside a glass,” Sollecito says. “This is an exclusive creation done in collaboration with Chef Andrea Noli and all the pastry team.”

In comparison, Sollecito’s signature dish – the apple crumb tart – is quite simple.

The tart is made from Sollecito’s grandmother’s recipe and pays homage to his childhood spent in Mezzocorona, Italy, where he grew up peeling apples while sitting in his grandmother’s lap. In Mezzocorona, indigenous apples are key ingredients in local pastries.

“I believe that simplicity is the key to happiness: A nice slice of tasty apple crumble is always a good solution when you want something sweet and not too heavy,” says the chef. “It’s ideal for breakfast, lunch, tea time and after dinner, and it’s best a little bit warm and with vanilla gelato.”

Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta

Other simple yet delicious items on the menu at the decadent dessert shop include cakes, macaroons, batik chocolate pralines, bonbons and, of course, a chocolate cake. “I am a classicist and no fan of the elaborations of molecular gastronomy. I want customers to fully enjoy the pleasure of my desserts without making each dish overly complicated,” he adds with a smile.

An Indonesian twist

A native of Mezzocorona, Italy, Chef Lorenzo Sollecito taps into both his Italian upbringing and the local flavours of Indonesia when crafting desserts at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.

True to the meaning of his name, which means “quick, attentive and careful,” Sollecito has been eager to adopt Indonesian ingredients such as local spices and tropical fruits. Mangoes from Sumatra inspired La Patisserie’s Upside Down Mango Cheesecake; vanilla and Balinese coffee beans can be tasted in the Dolcetto Latte; and pineapple, lemongrass and ginger add flavour and colour to the carpaccio.

Lorenzo is a very talented and passionate chef who believes that nothing should go in front of a guest if we don’t absolutely love it ourselves. – General Manager Christian Poda

“[These are some of the] amazing local products that I love to use in order to serve to our guest a dessert mixed between Indonesia and Italy, my own country,” Sollecito says.

Another favourite at La Patisserie are bonbons with ginger and coconut. Sollecito has plans to develop and add more local flavours.

“He is a perfectionist and is eager to learn and develop,” says General Manager Christian Poda. “Now that he is in Indonesia, he is studying local art, history and desserts to make new dishes inspired by this.”

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Where the Birds Are: 8 Places to Enjoy Avifauna

Posted on August 26, 2016June 5, 2018 by Adam H. Graham

Some of the most colourful guests at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are positively fair-weather types: birds. From brilliant migratory songbirds to resident waterfowl, the fine-feathered friends that frequent the destinations below are among the world’s most stunning and sought-after avifauna for birdwatching.

Some of them frequent the properties’ grounds; others require an excursion to encounter. And although birders and naturalists know that sightings are never guaranteed, if you pay attention while visiting these locations, you may catch a glimpse of their bright, elusive plumage.

Hawaii: Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper (Drepanis coccinea)

With its coral-coloured bill and vivid feathers, the Scarlet Hawaiian Honeycreeper fits perfectly within the bright, flowering gardens at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

Photography courtesy Randy Bartlet/500px Marketplace

Also known as the ʻiʻiwi, this blazing-red bird with the sickle-shaped bill is a favourite of birding visitors to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. One of the 44 Hawaiian endemics, the altitudinally migratory ʻiʻiwi resembles a hummingbird, with a similar appetite for nectar. It can be seen at higher altitudes, such as on Mauna Kea (about an hour and a half away from the Resort), and has occasionally been spotted at higher elevations on Hualalai itself, just 20 miles from the property. Although these honeycreepers were once plentiful on most Hawaiian islands, they’re currently endangered on Oahu and Molokai and have been extinct on Lanai since 1929.

Twitchers who want to birdwatch on the grounds of Four Seasons Hualalai can visit its Waiakauhi Pond, a convalescent habitat for waterfowl and migratory shorebirds, such as the slender and elegant Hawaiian Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked together with the Resort to develop the habitat and help preserve this endemic and endangered subspecies.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

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Dubai: Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

Hoopoes frequently perch on the lawn of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, where guests can hear their hoot-like call.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Audio courtesy Sheldon R. Severinghaus/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The lawns of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and other Arabian Gulf hotels are becoming desert sanctuaries for many birds, thanks to water features, beautiful landscaping, and abundant native plants and trees. The Dubai property also plays host to Red-vented Bulbuls and the occasional Purple Sunbird, but the funky hoopoes, with their “Mohawk” look, are the staff favourite.

The bird’s unusual name is onomatopoeic, mimicking the elegant black-and-cinnamon bird’s double hoot-like call. Though subspecies exist, the hoopoe is the only extant member of its family in the world.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

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Costa Rica: Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus)

A view of the Keel-billed Toucan’s striking, bright chest and rainbow bill in Costa Rica’s fruit trees or forests is the sighting of a lifetime.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Audio courtesy David L. Ross, Jr./The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Costa Rica is rich in bird biodiversity: The small tropical country is home to roughly 850 species, from Sapphire-throated Hummingbirds to dazzling quetzals. But let’s face it: Everyone wants to see a toucan. Six members of the toucan family Ramphastidae call Costa Rica home, including the Keel-billed. These yellow-chested, rainbow-billed beauties are occasionally visible in fruit trees and forests on the nearby lower slopes of Cordillera de Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, both about 90-minutes from Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Papagayo.

Papagayo is not without its own brilliant avifauna. The peninsula is named for the numerous colourful parrots that inhabit its lush canopies. Visitors who attend the 930-hectare (2,300-acre) Resort’s morning and afternoon nature walks can learn about the 25 species of endangered trees found on the peninsula and the birds who visit them, including Crested Caracaras, Great Kiskadees, Tropical Kingbirds, Inca Doves and Yellow-naped Parrots – each of the parrots a bright green marked with a vivid yellow line along its forehead and the nape of its neck.

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

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Thailand: Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker (Dicaeum cruentatum)

The Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, is a rare but beautiful highlight at Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

Audio courtesy Roger D. and Megan J. McNeill/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Many brightly coloured passerines flit through the moist bamboo thickets and steamy riverine forests of the Golden Triangle where Burma, Laos and Thailand converge. But few are as elegant and photogenic as the elusive Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker.

Sightings of the birds from Four Seasons Hotel Tented Camp, Golden Triangle are rare, but not impossible. They’re more likely at Chiang Saen Lake, about 45 minutes from the camp, or on trees at nearby fruit gardens where you can watch them quietly nibbling on figs and buah cherries. They may be one of the smallest birds in Southeast Asia, but their deep ruby red, sparkling white and navy blue markings are unmistakable.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

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Australia: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is one of the most familiar and beloved birds in Australia, and it’s not unusual to see this bird’s snow-white feathers and brightly coloured crest in parks and green areas across Sydney.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

When you first sight one of these flamboyantly feathered birds, you might think you’ve spotted an escaped pet. But these large, cacophonous, snow-white cockatoos with the butter-coloured crest live wild in Sydney and appear in spots throughout the country, including the Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park, both within walking distance from Four Seasons Hotel Sydney. It’s a vivid reminder that you’ve crossed the Wallace Line, a faunal boundary marking two distinctly different ecozones.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are known for their curiosity, screechy calls and longevity. One legendary Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, christened Cocky Bennett, lived for over 100 years.

Four Seasons Hotel Sydney

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Geneva: Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Audio courtesy Dolly Minis/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

It’s not a long wait before a wild white swan glides along the shoreline of Lake Geneva. Just steps outside Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva, these grand birds with black masks and orange beaks can be seen along the lake, and on the tiny island of l’Ile Rousseau in front of the Resort, often with their S-curve necks in perfect formation like ballerinas.

From the 13th to the 19th century, western European swan populations were nearly exterminated by hunting. Protective measures to save the lake’s waterfowl took effect in the late 1800s, allowing the swans to reclaim their former range. In the 1960s, numbers declined again, but fortunately they are increasing today.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

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Florida: Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Guests at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® can take a break from the bustling city to spot Florida’s only endemic bird, the deep blue Florida Scrub Jay.

Photography courtesy Thinkstock

This jay is Florida’s only endemic bird, and one of only 15 endemic bird species in the continental United States. Because Florida’s scrub oak habitat has rapidly dwindled in the past few decades, and therefore the number of birds has, the jay has been designated a threatened species.

It’s possible to see this bold and feisty bird at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort and the Tranquilo Golf Club, both of which are home to dozens of replanted live oak trees, the preferred habitat of the Scrub Jay – not to mention shrubs, ground cover, bushes and palms that it and other birds can use for food and shelter. For birders who want a more guaranteed sighting, the Florida Scrub-Jay Trail is a mere 30 miles (48 kilometres) away.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort

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Serengeti: African Grey Hornbill (Lophoceros nasutus)

Audio courtesy Linda R. Macaulay/The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The chance to sight the Big Five beasts may draw travellers from far and wide, but Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is also a fine spot for observing African birds. Right on the grounds, it’s possible to come face to face with mischievous African Grey Hornbills, which are sometimes spotted amid the fig trees along the Lodge’s boardwalks.

With its heavy-looking, downward-curving bill, the bird has an oddly primitive appearance, but it moves with the agility of a lion, both in the air and on the ground.

“While flying, they dip in mid-flight, which is quite distinctive, and as the most pronounced of all the hornbills in this region, their piercing, whistle-like call is also quite distinctive,” says the Lodge’s Discovery Centre Manager, Oli Drieke.

Guests who wish to see more of these creatures should cover more of their habitat by embarking on the game drives and walking safaris offered at the Lodge.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania

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Geneva

Sydney

Costa Rica

Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Hawaii, Hualalai

Orlando

Serengeti

Golden Triangle, Thailand

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Posted in DiscoverTagged around the world, safari, travel inspiration, travel tips, wildlife

Your Ticket to the World’s Most Epic Culinary Adventure

Posted on August 11, 2016January 22, 2024 by Veronica Chambers

Noma is considered by many to be the world’s most influential restaurant. In 2017, the Copenhagen restaurant’s team and Four Seasons partner for a nine-city, 19-day, once-in-a-lifetime Private Jet journey. Noma Chef René Redzepi curated the food tourism itinerary to connect guests with his culinary friends around the world.

Look behind the scenes

One of two Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences available in 2017, the Culinary Discoveries trip introduces guests to top chefs and producers for discussions, foraging expeditions, cooking classes, communal meals and street-food adventures – each experience designed to reveal something not only about the destination’s culinary heritage, but about its culture.

As with every Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, the in-air services and amenities – from the hand-stitched Italian leather flat-bed seats to the latest vintage of Dom Pérignon – are unbeatable, helping to make the journey as enjoyable as the destinations.

SEOUL | May 27–29, 2017

A blend of historic tradition and modern accommodations, Seoul offers travellers an immersive cultural and culinary experience.

Photography courtesy Reabirdna / Thinkstock

At Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, dine at Yu Yuan, which features a Peking duck oven for preparing the restaurant’s signature dish.

Temples use soy sauce and kimchi fermenting pots as a part of creating traditional temple food, which enriches the practice of meditation.

Photography courtesy Alex Barlow / Getty Images

In this burgeoning food destination, the journey begins with a truly exclusive experience: dining at the home of Chef Jong Kuk Lee, a pioneer in the city’s farm-to-table movement. Lee was trained as a painter, but his passion for authentic Korean food has made him a self-taught master of traditional cooking and fermentation. Although he’s more likely to shy away from a spotlight than to seek one out, he has gained renown among those in the know. “I’ve personally been to his home for dinner, and it’s a very sought-after experience,” Redzepi says.

The next day, guests will visit Mount Bukhan and Jin-Kwan temple for a private demonstration of the centuries-old practice of creating temple food – meals designed to enhance meditation. A trip to the pioneering “New Korean” restaurant Jungsik, noted as the first restaurant to apply molecular gastronomy to Korean ingredients, rounds out your time in Seoul.

Between outings, guests will find that Four Seasons Hotel Seoul mirrors the city’s intoxicating mix of venerable history and modern sensibility. Here, Noma Managing Director Peter Kreiner will begin the conversation series with insights into innovation and creativity at Noma. As managing director, Kreiner has created a business model that prioritises the kitchen staff’s inventiveness and the guest’s experience. That deep respect for artisanship has proved wildly successful for Noma, and it is a value widely embraced in Korea.

TOKYO | May 29–June 1, 2017

Experience authentic, traditional street food in downtown Tokyo, and shop at the famous Tsukiji fish market.

Photography (right) courtesy Getty Images

Home to flagship luxury stores and the latest in Tokyo fashion, the Ginza district promises a lively shopping excursion.

The Tokyo experience begins with a traditional tea ceremony, which involves the preparation and presentation of green tea made from matcha, the powdered form.

Photography courtesy fancy.yan / Getty Images

In 2015, the entire Noma team, along with their families, moved to Japan for six weeks to open a pop-up restaurant with an entirely new menu, new ingredients and new techniques. The Tokyo stop invites guests to see the city the Noma way, from foraging in the city’s outskirts to attending a private dinner with Chef Namae Shinobu at his Michelin-starred L’Effervescence.

For me, Japanese cuisine is on par with all of the greatest cuisines of the world. The range of food, the culinary traditions and the products are amazing. – René Redzepi

Here, you’ll get to explore the famous Tsukiji fish market, one of the largest in the world. “The best fish market I’ve seen is the one in Tokyo,” Redzepi says. “When you go to good ones – the ones that have all of the weird creatures that are in the ocean – it’s like watching a documentary of all of the shapes, sizes and colours of the ocean.”

From Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, venture out to visit a Redzepi favourite, Switch Coffee, or take a private samurai sword-fighting lesson with the choreographer for the movie Kill Bill. Redzepi hasn’t tried the latter yet; he jokes, “I don’t think knife skills in the kitchen would get you very far in a sword fight.”

HONG KONG | June 1–3, 2017

Sipping cocktails at sunset, cruise across Victoria Harbour in one of the ancient Chinese sailing ships known commonly as red-sail junk boats.

Photography courtesy Yongyuan Dai / Getty Images

Taste fresh, local cuisine as you work your way through traditional food markets in downtown Hong Kong.

A bustling market filled with local delicacies and performers, Temple Street night market will appeal to all of your senses.

Photography courtesy Nikada / Getty Images

Hong Kong is the perfect next “course.” Although the city moves fast, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is a luxurious getaway, with stunning views of Victoria Harbour, Kowloon and the mountaintop known as the Peak. Enjoy dim sum at the Hotel’s three-Michelin-starred Lung King Heen, cocktails in a red-sail junk boat and a traditional banquet with a whole suckling pig at Fook Lam Moon. “I’m personally very excited about Hong Kong, as it’s a place I’ve always wanted to go,” Redzepi says.

Excitement is certainly on the menu at Bo Innovation, where Chef Alvin Leung, Jr., hosts an “X-treme Chinese Dinner” to immerse you in the avant-garde intersection of molecular gastronomy and modern Chinese cuisine. Get a taste of more traditional local cuisine and culture with a visit to the labyrinthine market to purchase ingredients like dried seafood or the spiky-skinned durian fruit, or to grab a quick bite of roast chicken and an ice-cold beer.

CHIANG MAI | June 3–6, 2017

In Chiang Mai, strawberry fields are plentiful, surrounded by beautiful mountains and filled with delicious fresh berries.

Explore the verdant jungle of Thailand as you ride atop an elephant to a nearby hill tribe village.

Discover fresh, organic food with a visit to the bustling Warorot Market (at left) and the Royal Project farm, where Thai jasmine rice (at right) is grown.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, surrounded by a lush mix of jungle and mountains, offers a distinct change from the urban destinations. Former Noma Chef Garima Arora, whom Redzepi describes as “one of the super talents that has been through our kitchen,” joins the group here for a meal and a visit to a Royal Project farm to see sustainable farming models under development in Thailand. The Royal Project is an initiative of the king’s to replace opium farming with agricultural production that provides far-reaching economic and social benefits to the communities in the country’s highland areas.

Guests will begin their stay in Chiang Mai with an elephant excursion to a nearby village, and at the end of the first day they will embark on another local adventure: the nightlife. Bo.Lan restaurant founder Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, recently named one of Asia’s best female chefs, hosts a “Not Your Average Curry” dinner and a night on the town.

MUMBAI | June 6–8, 2017

Take in the views of the vibrant city from 34 storeys above it at AER, the rooftop bar at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai.

Learn about spices from an expert as you prepare traditional Indian specialties with former Noma chef Garima Arora.

Photography courtesy Natasha Breen / Alamy

Mumbai’s dabbawala workers pick up freshly made meals from their clients’ homes daily and deliver the containers to the workplace in time for lunch.

Arora, originally from Mumbai, joins the journey here too. “I wanted her to become one of the lead managers in the kitchen at Noma, but alas, she was homesick,” says Redzepi – and this colourful and flavour-filled conclusion to the Asian portion of the adventure will explain why.

Guests can head out from Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai to find some of the most innovative street food in the world. Arora leads guests through Crawford Market to sample kebabs, mutton biryani and other beloved dishes, and then leads them through the preparation (and enjoyment) of a meal of traditional Indian food. Back at the Hotel, cocktails and conversation await: Noma Chairman Marc Blazer will share his thoughts on the behind-the-scenes workings of Noma as a global business model.

FLORENCE | June 8–10, 2017

During your stop in Florence, admire gorgeous views of the main monuments, including the Duomo.

Photography courtesy Nuno Alves / 500px

For the last 40 years, butcher extraordinaire Dario Cecchini has been perfecting the art of cutting and cooking meat.

Photography courtesy SFM ITALY A / Alamy

With hills, vineyards, olive groves and farmhouses, Tenuta di Valgiano offers both beautiful views and delicious wines of Tuscany.

Photography courtesy Tenuta di Volgiano

From an optional day trip to Damiano Donati’s bistro in Lucca to a deep exploration of history and terroir at Tenuta di Valgiano winery, together Noma and Four Seasons Hotel Firenze present the best of Tuscany. Meet a member of the extended Noma family: eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini in Chianti. “Dario comes from an amazing tradition of craft and skill, something that is increasingly rare these days,” Redzepi says. “There is always something to learn from him through watching and appreciating his craft.”

Your time in Florence includes a tour of the city to see such landmarks as the Duomo museum and the Uffizi Gallery, and a private opening of the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. On the way back to the airport, you’ll stop to hunt truffles – a perfect final souvenir of your time in Florence.

LISBON | June 10–12, 2017

In Lisbon, enjoy Portuguese delicacies as well as exciting street food, all while soaking up views of the beautiful city.

Photography courtesy J.M.F. Almeida / Getty Images

Situated near Morocco and Spain, Lisbon has a rich culinary tradition marked by fresh seafood and delicate spices.

Photography courtesy Lissette Giron / 500px

See some of Lisbon’s most spectacular sites – Alfama, Castelo de São Jorge, Bairro Alto – through the lens of a camera and in a vintage moto-sidecar.

Photography courtesy Cheryl Howard

See how a seafood-rich culinary tradition has evolved into something new and exciting with the influence of neighbouring cultures. Join acclaimed Chef Nuno Mendes for a petiscos dinner, much like Spanish tapas; he can also introduce you to Lisbon’s nightlife and the street food that sustains it.

From Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, depart in a motorcycle sidecar for the Hotel’s Extraordinary Experience – a tour with a professional photographer who gives guidance on how to capture the best images of Lisbon’s most impressive miradourous (sites). A customised Street Art Tour reveals large-scale murals created by local and international artist collectives.

The last night in Lisbon concludes with a gala dinner at Belcanto, José Avillez’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the historic Chiado district.

COPENHAGEN | June 12, 2017

The Danish capital offers a mix of Old World charm and modern architecture, complete with an incomparable culinary experience with the renowned Noma team.

Photography courtesy Peter Zelei / Getty Images

Chef René Redzepi, one of the most influential and innovative chefs in the world, takes you behind the scenes of Noma during a private dining experience.

Photography courtesy Laura L.P./HdG Photography (left) and Mikkel Heriba (right)

At Noma, enjoy innovative dishes that feature ingredients foraged from the surrounding land.

Photography courtesy Laura L.P./HdG Photography

Redzepi welcomes the group to Copenhagen for a truly special Noma experience. Up until its final night of service on February 24, monthly reservation requests at Noma’s original location numbered around 100,000. Getting a seat at the Noma table has historically been a nearly impossible feat, and Noma’s new urban farm location is expected to be just as in-demand when it opens this summer.

Guests on this journey will forage with the Noma team for ingredients like samphire and beach coriander, and share aperitifs on the beach. And during an intimate conversation, Redzepi will take guests through the evolution of Noma from a modernist formal dining setting to its next incarnation.

PARIS | June 12–14, 2017

Thousands of years of history, art and fine dining converge in the cultural hub that is Paris. Take in the beautiful view of the city from Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris.

At Le Cinq, dine on exquisite cuisine to celebrate the final night of your journey.

Designed in 1928 in a former quarry 14 metres below ground, La Cave wine cellar is filled with vintage treasures and modern classics.

The trip ends in Paris with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. Redzepi is excited about Parisian food right now: “Paris is very much at the forefront of what’s called ‘bistronomy,’ a sort of mix of fine dining and a bistro. It’s a new type of restaurant with a new comfort feel to it, but the food being very focused and not driven necessarily by traditional foodstuffs like a normal bistro is.”

Noma offers a curated list of the team’s favourite Parisian eateries to explore. At the Hotel, guests on this journey will visit La Cave, the historic 50,000-bottle wine cellar. And on the final night in Paris, the Hotel’s own three-Michelin-starred Le Cinq, led by Chef Christian Le Squer, is the perfect spot to toast your adventure and enjoy a farewell dinner.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Select one of the destinations on the Culinary Discoveries itinerary to learn more

Posted in Drink, Food, TasteTagged culinary travel, Four Seasons chefs, gourmet, tours, travel inspiration

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